Security Levels

Coast Guard History

Frequently Asked Questions

SINBAD, USCG (Ret.)K9C (Chief
Petty Officer, Dog)

The crew of the Coast Guard cutter Campbell
adopted a mixed-breed puppy in 1938. Little did they know that their
canine companion would become a world famous Coast Guard veteran. He
was, literally, a member of the crew, complete with all the necessary
enlistment forms and other official paperwork, uniforms, and his own
bunk. He sailed on board the combat-tested cutter through World War II
and saw much action, both at sea and in port. As Life Magazine
reported: "An Old Sea Dog Has Favorite Bars and Plenty of Girls in
Every Port." Until recently he had the honor and distinction of
being the only Coast Guardsman to be the subject of a biography! It
was Sinbad of the Coast Guard, written by Chief Specialist George R.
Foley, USCGR and published by Dodd, Mead and Company of New York during the
war. The book made him an international celebrity.

Although he served honorably, he did run into a bit of
trouble on occasion, as any sailor might during a long career at sea.
He caused an international incident in Greenland, another in Casablanca, and
was busted in rank a few times for minor infractions. As another
author noted:

"Sinbad is a salty sailor but he's not a good
sailor. He'll never rate gold hashmarks nor Good Conduct Medals.
He's been on report several times and he's raised hell in a number of
ports. On a few occasions, he has embarrassed the United States
Government by creating disturbances in foreign zones. Perhaps
that's why Coast Guardsmen love Sinbad, he's as bad as the worst and as
good as the best of us."

Regardless of the fact that he liked to blow off a
little steam while on liberty, he was a brave and capable sailor when
he was on duty. He earned the respect and affection of his shipmates
during one famous battle when the Campbell fought it out with the
Nazi submarine U-606. The cutter was severely damaged during
the fight and the commanding officer ordered all but essential personnel off
the ship. They transferred to a nearby destroyer but a tough and hardy
few stayed on board the Campbell while the cutter was towed to
safety, patching her hull and ensuring that she stayed afloat during the
voyage. Among that few was Sinbad.

He served faithfully on board Campbell for
eleven years, garnering more sea time than most of his contemporaries,
before finally retiring to the Barnegat Light Station. He passed away
30 December 1951 and was laid to rest beneath the station's flagstaff.

Sinbad in an advertisement from
from a war-time magazine.

Sinbad at general quarters!

Sinbad and some of his shipmates on
board the cutter Campbell in the North Atlantic, 1943.

Sinbad racks out until his next
duty watch. On board the cutter Campbell, 1943,
somewhere in the North Atlantic.

Sinbad meets a monkey! John
Grey, Jr., sent us this photo of Sinbad. Mr. Grey wrote:
"My father, John Grey, who is on the left, got the monkey
(Lucy) from another ship. He had the monkey while serving on LCI-88.
He brought Lucy on board the Campbell to meet Sinbad when
they tied along side her to take on a water supply."

Sinbad is "paw printed"
for his Coast Guard service record.

Sinbad being interviewed about his
combat experiences by ABC News.

Sinbad on tour after the war,
promoting his new autobiography.

Sinbad meets one of his many
admirers. He wore his extensive collection of service ribbons
and awards on his collar. Sinbad earned each of the five
ribbons he wore, just as his shipmates did. These included the
American Service, European Theatre, and Pacific Theatre
ribbons. He survived attacks by U-boats and enemy aircraft.

What every sailor is waiting to
hear: liberty! liberty, liberty! Let's go! Sinbad only
went AWOL once. When he was returned to the ship by the Shore
Patrol, he went to Captain's Mast and his punishment was "under
no conditions was [he] to be permitted liberty in any foreign port
in the future." After that, Sinbad avoided all officers
if he could. As the crew noted, he held a "hearty
distrust" of anyone wearing gold braid.

The original caption stated:
"Every Coastie has a favorite tavern. Sinbad relaxes on
the front steps of Kubel's Bar, Seventh, Street, Barnegat Light,
NJ." Sinbad was well known in waterfront bars around the
world and he could handle his own when drinking with the saltiest
sailors.

The original caption stated:
"A salty seafarer savoring his suds. Sinbad, known in
over one-hundred world ports for his ability to consume beer, enjoys
a brew at Kubel's Bar, Seventh Street, Barnegat Light, NJ."

Sinbad was known to appreciate a good shot of
whiskey with a beer chaser.

Sinbad disembarks Campbell
for the final time, ending eleven years of sea duty.

Sinbad at his new home, the Coast
Guard Light Station at Barnegat, New Jersey. He had plenty of
company in his retirement and although he missed his shipmates on
board the cutter, duty at a light station wasn't too bad after all.

Sinbad continued to serve his
shipmates, the Coast Guard, and his country to the end.

Sinbad's headstone at the base of
the flagpole of the now-decommissioned light station at Barnegat,
New Jersey.